What Is a Computer Programmer Analyst and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A computer programmer analyst specializes in the design and testing of software and other computer systems. As a computer programmer analyst, your job duties include assessing, maintaining, or improving existing programs, and working with other analysts to develop new applications. You contribute to the analysis that goes into the initial design of a new program and then take those findings and put them into practice. You are responsible for maintaining careful documentation of the process so other members of the design or testing teams can know where to look for issues before the program is released.

The qualifications to begin a career as a computer programmer analyst include several years of programming experience as a developer and with documentation processes in a technical setting. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or management information systems is often the first step. You should also have a strong working knowledge of one or more programming languages, ideally depending on what type of applications your company develops. Other essential skills include interpersonal communication and analytical problem-solving.